When it comes to choosing toys for your baby, it’s important to remember that toys are far more than just entertainment. For babies, their primary mode for learning and development is play.

Age-appropriate, stimulating toys that engage, rather than entertain your baby, can help boost their cognitive, physical and social development.

During the First 6 Months

During the first 6 months, the best toys for your baby will be geared towards her sensory and motor development. Toys that are black and white or bright and boldly colored will greatly interest your baby. Once your baby begins to reach and grab for things and put them in her mouth, textured toys are a perfect choice.

Some of the best toys for babies under 6 months of age include:

Rattles

Soft balls and blocks

Plastic links or rings

Plush toys that make noise or have textured parts

Textured balls, blocks and toys

Teething rings and teething toys

Unbreakable mirrors and cloth books.

6 – 12 Months

Between 6 and 12 months of age, toys that promote cause and effect and hand-eye coordination are a great option. Basically, anything that has buttons, makes noise, can be dropped, knocked over, stacked up, opened or shut will be of interest to your baby.

Some of the best toys for babies 6 to 12 months of age include:

Basic musical instruments (like egg shakers)

Shape sorters

Pop up toys

Nesting cups

Stacking toys

Soft blocks

Pull toys

Push toys that make noise and plastic cell phones.

The Importance of Tummy Time

When playing with your baby, it’s always important to remember to make time for tummy time. Since parents are now encouraged to put their babies to sleep on their back, it’s important that they spend time on their stomach each day to promote muscle development and to prevent flat spots from developing on the head.

When choosing toys for your baby, it’s important to remember that the more the toy does by itself, the less your baby can do with it. During the first year your baby will develop a host of new skills. Playing with age-appropriate toys can help foster these skills and help your baby grow and develop on track.

With her background as an International Nanny Association Credentialed Nanny specializing in caring for multiples, Michelle has been partnering with parents in raising their children since 1994.

With her extensive experience in newborn, infant and child care, and with her passion for setting herself apart from her peers by providing top-notch service, Michelle is regularly called on by the most popular parenting magazines and websites to share her knowledge and expertise. She has been featured on Parents.com, Parenting.com, and BabyTalk.com and regularly contributes to ModernMom.com, Momtastic.com, and other popular parenting websites.

Michelle has contributed to TWINS Magazine and wrote a chapter for the best-selling Experts' Guide to the Baby Years. Michelle has also authored four books of her own entitled, Nanny to the Rescue!, Nanny to the Rescue Again!, Working Mom's 411 and A Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists. She also co-authored Beyond Parenting Basics: The International Nanny Association’s Official Guide to In-Home Child Care.

Michelle is an active member of the nanny and baby planner communities. In 2004, Michelle was honored as the International Nanny Association Nanny of the Year> and received accolades from President George Bush for her dedication to improving quality in-home child care. Michelle serves on the advisory board of the International Academy of Baby Planner Professionals and has served on the board of directors and as vice president of the International Nanny Association. She has also served as the executive director of the International Nanny Association and as a trainer for The Academy of Coaching Parents International.

Michelle currently serves as the editor in chief of Longhorn Leads, managing the content across their portfolio of care related sites including www.eNannySource.com, www.GoNannies.com, www.NannyPro.com, and www.4Nannies.com, in addition to serving as the executive director of Morningside Nannies, the company’s award-winning placement agency.

Michelle is a national speaker, bringing a message of hope and empowerment to moms groups across the nation. She and her husband Jeff, reside on Cape Cod with their daughter, Abigail, and their son, Luke.